SWAN Hill filmmaker Mitchell Barkman has been to more weddings than most 25-year-olds and it’s not just because he’s well liked.
Mitchell has been capturing many of the community’s nuptials since the age of 16.
While professionalism is at the heart of his work, he said being a teenage wedding videographer had some amusing aspects.
“It was really funny actually. I was driving to my first professional job and my mum had to come with me as I was still on my L-plates,” he said.
“There were other weddings where I had to grab a lift with photographers too.
“In looking back though, everyone was very supportive, and I have made great friendships as a result of needing to catch a ride.”
Mitchell’s interest in videography began at a young age and he attributes this in part to his father, who he recalls was never too far away with a video camera in hand capturing family moments.
“We used to the take Dad’s camera and make our own little videos,” Mitchell recalled.
“I used to make stop-motion animation and other fun films when I was around 10 and eventually mum let me upload them to YouTube when I was 15 and that was a surprising success.
Mitchell’s videos received more than one million views and he started to receive cheques from YouTube which allowed him to invest in more equipment.
At 15 years of age, he was contracted by Central Murray Football Netball League to shoot and edit a community awareness video about domestic violence against women.
“I also had a good family friend who was into filmmaking too, so he really encouraged me and we would often be mucking around making movies with my brother William.”
Mitchell is genetically identical to William, but while the twins might look the same, their career paths set them in totally different directions.
The one thing they had in common was a desire to study and bring that knowledge back to their home town.
William studied interstate and after graduating returned to practice as a veterinarian in Swan Hill.
Mitchell was accepted to study film and television at Swinburne University in Melbourne, where competition is fierce for limited places.
He completed his degree with honours in 2021.
Moving to Melbourne was a huge change, but one he embraced over time.
“One of the most valuable things I gained from studying in Melbourne was the network of other creative people I met,” Mitchell said.
“I had the chance to work on some great projects, but because of COVID I returned home to complete my study online and just fell back into working here again.”
While weddings and events were affected by COVID, new doors opened in the corporate and business sectors.
Once restrictions eased, Mitchell was back behind the camera at weddings and events.
His reputation expanded quickly and soon he was working every weekend filming weddings, debutante balls, an array of community events and making corporate and promotional videos, both locally and further afield.
“One of the things I really enjoy about my work is that no two projects are the same,” he said.
“I get to work with a variety of great people on some diverse projects.
“I’ve worked in a beekeeping suit, gala events, local government, schools, emergency services and the health field, and I’ve learnt a little bit about each sector along the way.
“It’s great to hear different people’s stories and forge new relationships.
“I’ve also had the chance to travel to Tasmania, which was a really nice perk.”
For Mitchell, success has been a double-edged sword.
While he feels privileged to work in a role he loves, he is now trying to focus on a more sustainable work-life balance.
“Part of that involves me setting up systems and processes to minimise my workload and another part is to set my own work limits and stick to them,” he said.
After more than 10 years in the industry, Mitchell can be more discerning about the projects he undertakes and is expanding outside the Mallee.
He is still doing weddings, with 15 booked for this year, but his time is split between those and other diverse projects.
With a portfolio of television commercials to his name and the Twilight Arts Market on the horizon, Mitchell is excited about the future, although he has no plans to grow the business.
“I view myself as a boutique service,” he said.
“I prefer the smaller intimate projects that I can manage on my own or with minimal help, so I don’t have plans to grow the business outwards at this time.
“I’m really focused on balancing my own wellbeing while still working on rewarding projects.”
While Mitchell appears to have been born with talent and passion, he is adamant that he could not have achieved what he has without family support.
“It can be hard to succeed in a creative field in rural areas, just due to the lack of opportunities,” he said.
“I was lucky to be able to live at home when I first started out and I’m still connected to my friendship groups from school.
“I also enjoy the theatre group, where I play guitar in the band.”
In reflecting on all he has achieved, Mitchell paused to consider what the major highlight had been.
“Just the people I think, the people who have continued to support me and the new ones I’ve met along the way, they’re what really makes this special for me.”
